Dressed in a violet autumn style dress with gold leaves dotting it, Beatrice Cunners held some Elvish ancestry along with human. Appearing more human in the ears, and nose she still felt more elf than most would. In scientific terms of new discoveries, she would be categorized as Homo Finitimus, a humanoid neighbor. In his main office rested in Forsym New Vattoram, but they were in Claymor, New Vattoram. Along the Eastern coast of the country Claymour sat next door the newly annexed Castarian member state. Just last year this city decided to purge the profane from bitter revelation. Some mysteries or horrors needed to be hidden. How Beatrice knew had everything to do with her own profession as a professional spy. Looking up at him she wanted to ask him about that a little more.
"Mr. um, Mr. Greymir, Premviste Greymir what happened in Claymour city concerning the purge?" She asked believing her buttocks would be tossed out of a window.
"The Claymour Purge the papers called it. Had more to do with clearing out a cult. You see in one of the towns outside Claymour. Willowhill was a town where some cult or covenant took over. Some enthralling victors of that town signed in blood to a covenant of blood. That, we could not allow to continue any further." Greymir answered looking over at a few desk items he possessed. Row of stamp labelers, card holder organizers, a mug used as a pen holder, envelope organizer, three small portraits, quill, inkwell, stapler, stack of coins of different currencies, and a few other books. His other desk sat adjacent to his back facing the window cluttered in papers, books, maps, and one small globe. Greymir's handsome gaze caught her attention. At first, she believed he was going to order her to undress, but he did not.
"You are an Estati am I correct? And Estati with a profession as a spy." Argrithe pointed out to the half elf half human.
"Yes sir." She answered tugging at a part of her collar then played with a top button. Beatrice shifted in her seat keeping her composure. Looking at him up and down Beatrice did not know what to really do. Her mind went to undoing her auburn hair bun, yet he still wore his wedding ring.
"We need a spy to act as an informant along the borders between Evusia, and Meze. Naheme doesn't exactly have the military power to face both even with the other island states. So that option is off the table. You will head to Meze for me personally and inform me once a month what goes on. One of Meze's ambassadors mentioned a conflict between 13 families who act as their own factions. It also coincides with the situation between Evusia and Redrin Isle. In other words keep me posted, informed on the events along the border. Even if it is a stampede or some local murder. Actually, push those on the side those are more local." Greymir revealed her new mission before her very eyes. Beatrice felt honored she almost go up to kiss him but chose not to.
"Can I do this? Yes, sir I will be your eyes and ears." Beatrice responded to the orders. She stood up to give him a military salute. Argrithe smiled and chuckled.
"Save those salutes for my brother Antalace Greymir, the Furd, well the Commander in Chief of the VUVR military."
He stood up with a stretched-out hand. Getting up Beatrice nearly fell forward when she stretched out her hand to shake his. Her own legs became stiff from sitting down so much. Beatrice was forced to wait outside the office door getting a chance to eavesdrop on her own leader as a hobby just to learn new events. Former Officer becomes a scientist during insurgency in Nevoran Federation who joined the Castarian hold out raiders. She recalled hearing a mortician preparing the deceased for funerals, 111 corpses in one day due to a raid that was repelled when cavalry were called over. Thanks to the genericity of the VUVR's leader, her boss, Beatrice received a ride from a Chauffer to the docks. As they rode in the back, she turned around to get a good look at the buildings she left behind for the port. One former Bawdy House, Blacksmith's Master Guild, apartment complex, tall bookstore, cafe, library, trade house, and college building could be seen disappearing behind an Abbey facing a mausoleum. When they arrived at the port and docks Beatrice was sent over to meet her contact, four Orcs preparing to sail south. Greymir got out with her to ensure she was able to get passage. At a complex with a three-story tavern, craft workshop built in Greymir had her wear an ugly long coat over her dress. His own appeared more like a cloak with sleeves added to it. Towards the back they found the Orcs in a blacksmith station. Exchanging quick words with the Grogash brothers they received a full duffel bag, passport with new identity, a short sword, Main Gauche, and pair of rapiers. Not questioning the contents of the duffel bag Beatrice grabbed whatever they gave her to use for this mission. A week passed before she was picked up again from the Thieves' Guild. Her Guild Mates bid her farewell promising to keep her own room the same as she left. Forced to enter a Merchant's Guild on the opposite side of where she met the Grogash brothers Beatrice met a Captain McKee of the Daring Milani, a freighter cargo ship that made a few stops before hitting Meze-Evusia.
Nothing really happened to her on board this ship as she made her way between the land masses that made up Vestrisia Castaria, and the cliff rimmed continent of Soverden. It had another name, but it did not matter for this mission. While prowling the interior of the ship she ran into a Galvanic Alchemist who foresees animating a faerie in a lab as Reave soul is used to capture it in a used potion flask. Their Mortar & Pestle, Retor, Alembic, Calcinator, flasks, beaker, cylinders, funnels sat pinned to the shields drilled to the walls. A small cauldron rested by his cot. McKee's own crew consisted of thirty-four Goblins, Humans, Half-Orcs, one intelligent spotted Ogre, Troglodytes, half Goblins, and Zedirians. Daring Milani's journey or voyage through this extended strait of the Screaming Hawk started smooth for a day. Towards the end of the strait, they stopped at a port called Stormville. Here he picked up a few more supplies while dropping off booze for the Drayman to deliver. With help from the Stevedores, dock workers the Milani picked up a few new passengers. Grim Wanderer Goblin Warlock and Gilt Blade Prowlers encounter a jellyfish near a shipwreck just past the mouth of the strait. Both were after a witch's cauldron they found which, weighed them down after the encounter with that sea creature and some shipwreck dowser merfolk. Due to the encroaching war in Evusian Waters McKee hired a privateer ship. Some modern era steel sloop called the Razor Maw manned by 202 Orcs, Goblins, Humans, half breeds. Since they were stopped in order to get the privateer (pirates for hire) to prepare for the journey a few more passengers joined. A Wake Dance Shaman in a silk wrap dress with a gloom pangolin pet joined the prosperous pirates as fog emerged.
Fog in the strait slowed them down by half a day. Beatrice moved around the ship with the privateer sloop in the corner of her eye. Not sure if she really trusted these pirates who claimed to be privateers. Arriving at the ports of Meze Evusia took a little longer than expected. Stopping at an island city called Ogrims, Meze where a goblin test pilot and a reckless wizard face an executioner's swing. A grotesque sight to witness as an event. At least she was able to move around a portion of the city to get some hints of what was going on. Ogrims was where the prisoners were taken either executed or sentenced to death they still lived on this island as their home and residence. While roaming around a Bimaristan, and Mason's guild she spotted a Djinn Wizard dragged over to a Town Guard structure. One of the locals was also watching the Djinn looking wizard being taken into custody.
"...attempted some Titanic growth self..."
"Bah! Some Monastery Lore Master they made. Guess we'll have to visit them in the cells for a bit of knowledge..."
"Can they bring them out sooner?" a Mezeen-Evusian asked one of them.
Beatrice returned to the freighter with some information, Meze was locking up Lore Masters. For what reason? To remove some knowledgeable threats who still speak of the past? Did Meze still have worshippers of the old ways, old gods still lingering among the population? In her own private cabin she wrote down what she noticed on the Mezeen held island. Arriving on the very borders of Evusia, and Meze made them nervous. Even the Sloop kept its distance while holding off any fire on the ships that came to check both vessels. Right as they were about to dock a patrol boat spotted a Satyr Rambler found to be totally lost as its craft is set adrift from the Evusian coast. Beatrice did not get to see what happened to it as she was sort of herded off the boat by McKee himself. Mezeen's culture required for all women to have a chaperone when going in certain parts of the cities. In the residential districts no one is required as well as the markets. In a Bazaar's Hookah Den Captain McKee introduced Beatrice to her new contact, accomplice, and "chaperone" for the borders of Meze and Evusia. Hai ben Doran the Adventuring Translator, Smuggler, and Storyteller. Four jobs for one person can make them rich. Just for extra cover up for her own duties they hired a juggler, acrobat, Animal Handler, Dancer, and Guard Chaperone in case they lose Hai Doran.
With a few days to relax they resided in a refurbished Hashashin Guild. Out the window Beatrice watched a thief leap from building to building while guards gave chase. Anunbah, built close to the coast stretched further inland with buildings almost the same height of two or three stories to avoid any building collapses. While watching this she rested her chin on her folded arms while leaning over the shaded balcony. It poured down on the city itself making it difficult to get a good look at these running thieves. One of them took a mighty leap to lure a door keeper into the down pour that came. All it did was get the door keeper soaked at an inn. Beatrice muffled a laugh to keep her composure. Grown women not exactly forbidden from laughing at misfortunes from others. It was just seen as immature. Certain the show was over Beatrice returned to her own quarters where her own lamp was lit. Under the name of Yarom bat Elazar she sat down thinking of Captain McKee. She did not really get to say goodbye to him when he left. At the moment she had a duty to attend to now. Making attempts to shake off the handsome sea rogue's face from her thoughts she prepared herself to begin her mission.
Although it already began on the island prison, she still chose to eavesdrop on a few areas here and there for a few days before they rounded up a small caravan of Camels. Not finding much in the main city she moved towards a town with her chaperone. There she learned of a Dusk Legion Zealot used demolish spell on Syncopated Bane Alley Blackguard causes unfriendly fire on trusty pack beast that gathered the 336 townsfolk. Something the authorities dealt with quickly yet locked away the Blackguard's things until she showed up at the prison cell to speak with this Vullanese.
Getting ready to take everything found on the Vullanese Beatrice finds herself cornered by a grave scrabbler who seemed eager to copulate with her. Her own bodyguard emerged from behind him ready to kill the scrabbler until two grim looking physicians appeared. Both wearing casual suits these Physicians blindly revealed they needed a specimen to watch in intercourse. Knowing full well killing these two valuable members would attract unwanted attention from authorities her chaperone pulled her away. Giving them a smile they had her cover her own face leaving the Blackguard's equipment in the hands of Mezeen guards. Hoping the authorities would keep it locked up Beatrice and her chaperone returned to their temporary headquarters. When they returned Hai Doran warned them the physicists were part of some cult or guild that enjoys certain activities. Creeping her out Beatrice packed her things to leave earlier than expected. Getting a head start on this journey would lose their momentum on the Premviste's orders. No longer than a week before moving towards the south. It would look suspicious. Most would move quickly, but this needed to be treated as a residency not a hideout.
Once a week passed by, they were on the move with a caravan of camels blending in with another who was headed towards another settlement. The next settlement of Grazed Helm rested right on the border between Meze and Evusia. Flanked by a Caravan Stop, Caravansary, Sultan Style Racing Track, Bimaristan, Imperial Wine Storage from the Vineyards of the main Island, ruins, a mine, Grazed Helm appeared to possess a mixed culture. She did not have time to look at the culture, or the buildings due to her need to blend in. Passing through the streets they passed a Public Bath, plenty of complexes, Temples, Villas, Chapter House, one Inn, a Tavern, Market, Kilns, various shops her group stopped at a cafe. There they found some accommodations underground. It was as if Argrithe had connections all over these two countries. Using her time wisely Beatrice set up her equipment according to instructions Greymir gave to her. Near the settlement of Grazed Helm, further south, another settlement was home to Assassin Guild, and some Order of Assassins. On the side of Meze these Assassins were a lethal threat to the stability of the borders. How she was going to even remove their threat without getting acknowledge by them felt like a feat. One day later Beatrice, her accomplices, and chaperone rode to that city where they learned of 736 Lurking Deadeye Assassins of Meze anticipate Dire Fleet Hoarder's movements. This Dire Fleet Hoarder Evusia hired possessed powers of a Battle Mage. When she got this all down, she sent it over to Greymir via the couriers to the mailing system. Whatever these Assassins plotted to do it would just end up chaotic.
Upon their return to Grazed Helm her group found a few individuals fighting. A Bitter Blood Jackal engages one Death Bellowing Kuruk right outside a Guild House built from brick, wood, and a tent. Green with hints of Evusian and Mezeen patterns this tent appeared more like an oversized tapestry or quilt. Outside the settlement these two humanoids dueled with their respective weapons. A long Khopesh Blade for the Jackal who apparently belonged to a by gone era. Beatrice could have sworn these ancient humanoids of Ottante and gone extinct. As for the Kuruk, which appeared more like a half man half bull, a Bardiche. Yes, these were modernizing times, yet plenty of fighters still chose to fight with melee weapons in case their ammunition ran short, the gun jammed, or the weapon became too hot. Each one clashed on the dirt, and oasis that sat along the perimeter. Her own entourage and others gathered to watch this spectacle of the ages in Meze. Suspicious over what these two humanoids were doing in Meze Beatrice wrote this down while her own accomplice recorded this event. Another took photos as the two clashed. Whoever wanted to watch made a circle around to see these two locked in a duel. For several minutes these two fought while several onlookers found a mound in the sand to sit on. Beatrice wasn't sure if that was a rock or some mound of debris that dried up. Eyeing it she thought she saw it move as if breathing. Whatever this mound really was it burst out of the sand flinging the onlookers off it. And adaptive snap jaw of the desert moved from its disturbed slumber scared everyone away. Even Beatrice and her own group rushed away leaving the two dueling humanoids at the mercy of this large lizard beast's mercy. They felt it's impact of seismic stomp from its powerful tail.
Several days later Beatrice moved further south with her small team to another location known as Honan. Surrounded by Oasis circles, Oasis crescents, small mountains, wells, Caravan stops northwest, south, and west this small city witnessed a Cavalry unit of 278 or more get called over. Located on the Evusia side Honan was likely guilty of harboring a group of rebels, terrorists, a band of nineteen knights, marksman, footmen. Gathering what she could while hidden Beatrice learned of a female noble of Evusia started to poison traitors within Honan's inner council. Half of the Evusian Honan Council vied to secede from Evusia to become part of Meze. Mainly due to their culture being close to the Mezeen. Yet she saw this as a threat according to some hints she gathered. However this noble woman was long gone since sixteen soldiers chose to help her. They gave her tickets to two liners to get her own followers off the island. They somehow acquired 13 vehicles to use from donors. Beatrice could tell this would lead to a larger conflict if Evusia found out others were involved. Redrin Island was already restless for Independence. With all the gathered notes from Honan she moved quickly to another location, Il-Tarvold. Here the region witnessed a feat of resistance by 270 locals against Mezeen troops. Even though it was on Mezeen soil Il-Tarvold apparently expressed new allegiances. About 70% of the village were wounded or killed due to the fighting. Over 70% of the Mezeen force found itself decimated. Snooping around at night she found signs that a donor funded this rebellion among the Mezeen village. It haunted her to realize someone was funding their demise. At least that is what she perceived. Looking at her map she noted no other settlements could be found in the south on the Mezeen side of the island.
Feeling pressed for time the group made it along a road towards the Evusian border. Their cover was never exposed thanks to the exchange of caravan style clothing. From Mezeen to Evusian traders. She found other hints that a conflict was more than likely brewing. Clinging mists shielded the movement of 300 Heavy Infantry of some Evusian Unit her chaperone, guide called the Brindle Boar. This unit's focus was towards the south. Not sure if she wanted to be captured by Evusian forces Beatrice pressed for the south. Along the Evusian border they made their way towards a settlement where the charging rhino stampede of 397 or more caused by the release of a mire boa snake and hungry death hood cobra brought chaos to the populaces of Evusian settlers. Culprits were likely Mezeen or someone else. It drew the attention of some Hamlett Captain who was in a unit of 451 Coalition troops station in Evusian territory. More than ten flags from ten different nations flew in the wind indicating this was an invasion intended to stop Evusian aggression. Not seeing her own nation's flag Beatrice still felt inclined to send an ambitious warning using Greymir's ink stamp insignia. With hopes this would bring Evusian forces to heel with a swift victory for coalition Beatrice raced for the southernmost tip of the island. In order to get to the nearest settlement, she had to cross over to the Mezeen side of the island.
The port settlement of Aceden garrisoned a force of 310 guards, 200 soldiers to defend its 2,500 inhabitants. An extra force was sent over and camped out. Approaching this settlement, she estimated 317 or more Line Infantry in their own encampment. Still keeping to her disguise, she managed to slip through the streets to a VUVR embassy. The usual type of staff worked there, Humans, Goblins, Half Elves, Orc Guards, Half Orc Guards performing their duty while the Minister of Trade and Head of Tribal Affairs sat at the main office. Both requested for the force of 320 to be sent over. Dressed in the Mezeen traditional garb Minister of Trade Gazim, and Head of Tribal Affairs Hanel El-Forgbelne stood up as she entered with the escort guard.
"Afternoon Agent Beatrice, I am Minister of Trade Gazim. It has come to our attention that Greymir sent your here to secretly gather intel on the situation along the borders between our Meze and the Evusian Empire. War may be avoidable, yet it could cost Zegrav, and Evusia dearly should they engage in further aggressive behavior." Gazim addressed the spy. His mustache made him appear more relevant to the past under his Keffiyeh cap.
"Do I need to turn in what I have found?" She asked feeling nervous.
"No, you do not. Along the borders that cut this island apart mountains, and veins of minerals run through the earth. Two hard metals, Yatrum a metallic sand material that can scarcely be differentiated from hard dirt sand until it is in the sunlight, and Mephlum a sparkly metal that can be used to forge the plating needed to spot ships, or planes. Mainly the civilian or trade transports." Gazim answered while the El-Forgebelne figure stood silent as a lamb. Gazim's outfit fit more a Sheikh blended with some hint of modernizing with the goatee.
"Should I reveal there are donors to some rebellions, and bands of renegades causing trouble?" Beatrice warned them. It was obvious this was over materials, and minerals. Someone wanted to tear both nations apart. She wanted to reveal 82 donors to cause despite Meze being a neutral country.
"That would be most helpful. We can resolve that issue from here. Thank you, Agent Beatrice. Let us pay for your journey home.
After weeks of travelling along the borders of Evusia-Meze Beatrice knew she needed the rest badly. One long bath is what she greatly needed since it healed her body and soul. A scorching hot one is what she preferred. Saying goodbye to her companions, and chaperone the spy gathered her things. Without hesitation she pressed for the port to the designated ship to find a smiling Captain McKee waiting to bring her home.
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